Tainted [ch.2]

Aishii groaned, turning restlessly in bed. Shiki sat at her side, twirling Aishii's loose hairs with her pinky. She sat there, staring at Aishii's peaceful face and pondering the event that occurred a few hours before. Aishii wasn't a demon... Thinking that about her friend was shameful. And what she had said was true... Shiki had never had even the slightest knowledge of how to be in a relationship, or what love was. Unlike Aishii, the beautiful, the flirtatious. It was miraculous that they had even become companions.
'Shiki! It's your birthday today isn't it?'
Her bright smile, as always, seemed to twinkle like the stars above.
'Nnnnn. So?'
Her eyes darkened slightly. 'Well, you're sixteen now. You should be happy that you're getting there. Plus, I know that you don't know a lot of people since you moved here...'
'...yeah. So?'
She leaned forward, concern and restlessness contorting her pretty face.
'You're not gonna have a party? Invite some people from class?'
'...I can't.'
'Why?'
'I need to take care of my chores.'
'I see... Well..'
'Nnn..'
She grinned, holding out a silver chain, a small leaf hanging between its links.
'Happy birthday. I hope we can be friends.'
Shiki smiled a little and reached for the symbol of their queer friendship. But where was it? She panicked, flipping over the cushion of the chair in the corner. She had it the day before... The Harajuku shop... manga store... dango shop... Dango shop! Shiki ran out the door, down three blocks, to the right. Panting heavily, she paused in the dark alley, palms pressed to her knees. She stood there, panicked and exhausted when she heard the slight tap tap tap of footsteps. She pivoted quickly, falling to her knees. Regaining her balance she saw the ends of a long coat, depicting red clouds set in a dark black sky. She looked up to meet the hard glance of the man from before, her necklace dangling in his fingers. His hair seemed longer, tied into a ponytail, and almost black. Even his eyes seemed to shine bright blood red. He crouched down to meet her shocked eyes, amusement flashing quickly through his. Shiki muttered her thanks hurriedly, reaching for the chain when a scream cut through the silence.
A girl's scream.
“Aishii...!”
Shiki, finding the remaining ounce of her energy, ran as fast as she could back to the room, back to Aishii. She ran as fast as lightning through the door, crashing into the bed frame. Aishii lay there, curled up with her small hands covering her face. Long, but shallow gashes ran the length of her arms, crimson liquid staining the pure white bed sheets. Shiki attempted to stand to help her, but a sharp pain in her ankle prevented her from it. She saw her leg in a sickly angle and tried to restrain the wave of nausea that grew in the pit of her stomach.
“Shiki. RUN.” Aishii shrieked.
Shiki pulled herself up, shaking her head in a motion to refuse. That's when the door swung open, that menacing man in the doorway. Behind him was another, face hidden by the wide brim of a traveler's hat. The first stepped into the room, and his deep voice numbed her senses.
“You can't run.”
Almost mockingly, though his face seemed even more devoid of emotion, he dropped her necklace onto the floor.
“Bastard.” she heard herself say, amidst Aishii's wails and the tall one's nasally chuckles.
In less than a second, he was crouched before her, his hand smashing against her head.
And before she fell unconscious, she heard Aishii screaming her name.